F1 Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

Mix a little bit of Days of Thunder with Rush, add a sprinkle of Rocky & garnish it with the visual flair of Top Gun: Maverick. Voila, you obtain this high-octane racing blockbuster.

Genre: Action / Drama / Sports

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Javier Bardem, Kerry Condon, Sarah Niles, Tobias Menzies, Callie Cooke, Kim Bodnia, Samson Kayo & Shea Whigham.

Run Time: 156 min.

US Release: 27 June 2025

UK Release: 25 June 2025

German Release: 27 June 2025

I have never been one to really follow Formula One, but it still has a place in my heart, as I remember my father sitting down on weekends watching it on TV. I am, however fan of racing tales, as such this was high on my anticipated list, specifically because it was helmed by the regisseur of Maverick. Now, fresh out of the cinema, I need to confess that this is more than I expected, more than I could have wished for, feeling like an old school, original blockbuster, I used to go to the theatres as a teenager to watch. So, let's shift into high gear, as we race the tracks of my review for F1. 

A down-on-his-luck, aged, professional racing driver comes out of retirement to mentor and team up with a young rookie at the most prestige motorsport event in the world. 

In late 2021, a bidding war broke out for a movie scripted by Ehren Kruger, as well as to be directed by Joseph Kosinski, the duo that had previously worked on the sequel Top Gun: Maverick with Tom Cruise. Brad Pitt was attached as the lead, with Jerry Bruckheimer producing. A year later, cinematographer Claudio Miranda, who also worked on the previously mentioned fighter-jet flick, signed on to the project. By then, it was revealed that it would enclose the world of Formula One. 

Kruger's screenplay takes familiar beats of an underdog sports drama, rejuvenating it by adding a breath of fresh air, as some of the tropes are flipped on their head. Is it predictable? Mostly yes, though it doesn’t matter as the narrative is so well crafted, one can’t help but enjoy the ride they are on. With a runtime of two hours - thirty-five minutes, this is a monster of a silver-screen picture, yet the pacing is so well managed that the complete experience feels as if blowing by, thanks to gripping action segments, just like great character work.

The story successfully manages to balance the motorsport spectacle with well-established emotional factors. The mentor-newbie arc is therefore better fleshed out, reaching a satisfactory growth arc, without ever needing to compromise on a quick-moving plot. Then there are thematic subjects, giving this blockbuster a deeper layer, such as the importance of teamwork, women in male-dominated work sectors, or a message about ageing with grace.

That said, it ain’t all perfect, as F1 contains two major flaws that did affect the overall quality. First, there is the sub-plot romance that didn’t need to be, making it seem forced once it blows up, as well as demoting the interesting persona of Kate McKenna to a stereotypical love cliché. Second, the third act is a dramatic curve ball, about an obstacle to overcome, which didn’t come out of nowhere, set up early on, but didn’t suit the rest of the film tonally. It was very Hollywood!

Conversations are packed with witty, sarcastic commentary and jokes, relieving the tension through some laughs. It also includes visceral aggressiveness, displaying the high competition of this sporting world. Commentator tracks are added to give unfamiliar audiences a sense of what is happening on the track. 

Brad Pitt injects his character, the seasoned former Formula driver Sonny Hayes, with magnetic charisma. Sonny is more of a lone wolf type of character, needing to learn to work in a team. After an accident three decades ago with Team Lotus, he left the world of Formula One behind. He is pulled back in due to a friend who needs his help. Hayes comes with flaws, carved by his passed, though also with lots of experience he accumulated through the years. Pitt gives a wonderful portrayal, showing also his hidden, vulnerable side. 

British actor Damson Idris was chosen after an extensive casting process. Playing the novice driver Joshua Pearce, who wants to prove to the world that he is one of the best, Idris manages to reflect the driver's fears plus insecurities well! The persona obtains an incredible arc growth, breaking out of his anger, learning to cooperate with Hayes and staying true to himself, becoming one of the most likeable at the end of the runtime.

Kerry Cordon, portraying APX’s technical director, has great chemistry with Pitt. Her character has her own reasons for needing a win, especially as she tries to prove that a woman can make it in this male-dominated line of business. That said, halfway through her tale is swallowed up by the main narrative. Her romance part was also not needed and could have been left as platonic. 

Javier Bardem, as Ruben Cervantes, a former driver, now the owner of the APX GP, just like a friend of Hayes, rounds out the cast. Ruben has his reasons for reaching out to Sonny, as he has invested a lot into the team, needing a win for the investors. Bardem, though obtaining more of a supporting role, brings much heart and emotion to the table.

Let’s get down to what you probably came to read for, the cinematography! Claudio Miranda creates once again an elegant, jaw-droppingly stunning film that captures the adrenaline of split-second decisions. Kosinski employs the same strategy plus technical finesse as he did in Top Gun: Maverick, using special cameras, designed by Apple, and rigged around a modified Formula 2 car, choosing real-world G-driven forces over computer-emulated thrills. The result is an absolute sensory immersion, as audiences get transported into the cockpit, able to feel the thrill of racing. 

Having said that, the utilisation of a custom-made camera that creates pan-tilted shots, for a better entrancing feeling, overstayed its welcome by two scenes too many. 

Computer wizardry is restrained, trying to apply as many practical effects as possible. Digital refinement was only used to enhance the realistic footage, such as crash sequences. The lighting and colour palette use very sterile hues, reflecting the essence of Formula One. 

Equally, the sound effects capture the violently raw nature of this motor-sports segment beautifully, complementing the visuals on screen. Gear shifts, screeching tires, just like engine roars, are captured with intense clarity. Hans Zimmer’s masterful composition fuses in with the rest of the movie perfectly, blending classic orchestral sounds with electronic elements.

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Verdict: Kosinski’s newest motorsports action drama is a summer blockbuster made for the cinema! The combination of Miranda’s high-octane, immersive visual aesthetics paired with the emotionally gripping script by Kruger creates a highly entertaining experience. Granted, the story uses familiar plot cores, seen in countless other underdog stories, yet the masters at work manage to still give it a freshness by inverting some of the tropes. Brad Pitt infuses his role with a very likeable, rough-around-the-edges charisma, while Damson Idris balances it out with a strong portrayal of the hot-headed novice Pearce. Problems are the unneeded romance, as well as the third act obstacle, which felt like out of a different flick, in an otherwise great screenplay, plus some of the panning shots started to feel repetitive. This is an absolute recommendation for a summer eve! F1 obtains a 9.0 out of 10. 

Are you planning to go see this racing sports drama in theatres? I do recommend it, as it will give you the full immersive experience! Let me know what you though, by leaving a comment below. Thank you, as always, for reading!